The 33-year-old has been given the all-clear by doctors following the fractured cheekbone which ruled him out for the final 10 matches of last season.

The surgeon told me the bone has healed and is just as strong as before the injury. There is no increased likelihood it will happen again.

Paul Robinson

Last Wednesday the central defender underwent a second operation, this time to remove two titanium plates which had been inserted into his right cheekbone.

The surgeon has subsequently given a clean bill of health to Robinson.

And the former Millwall man is savouring being back in action for the June 29 start to pre-season training under new boss Paul Cook.

Robinson said: ‘It has settled down really well and there is no lasting damage.

‘I had a secondary operation Wednesday last week to remove the plates put in for it to heal and the surgeon was really pleased with how it looked.

‘He told me the bone has healed and is just as strong as before the injury. There is no increased likelihood it will happen again.

‘The cheekbone has been held together by two titanium plates, probably no more than half a centimetre wide by about five centimetres long, with about 10 screws in.

‘You look at the size of the screws and realise how intricate the operation must have been for the surgeon. I’ve also kept them as a keepsake!

‘It feels like I have not played for such a long time now so I’m now really looking forward to getting back into training.

‘If the season had gone on maybe a couple more weeks I might have been able to play again, but I ran out of time.

‘I think I probably could have worn a mask after four weeks, but by that point there were two games left and the physio felt the risks were far greater than the benefits of playing so we decided to sit it out.

‘As much as it goes against my better nature, it was probably the right decision.

‘It was a premature end for me but has made me even hungrier for this season.

‘I have been working quite hard to make sure I am ready to go back into action – and knowing there is a new manager to impress.

‘The injury won’t affect me, I will be fine on that front, not a problem at all.’